Can Red Light Therapy Help Costochondritis (Chest Wall Pain)?

Short answer: there's no research on red light therapy for costochondritis specifically, but general photobiomodulation studies on musculoskeletal and chest-wall pain suggest it may help calm the inflammation and soreness involved, when used alongside rest and your doctor's care — not in place of it.

If you've ever had a sharp, achy pain where your ribs meet your breastbone, you know how alarming it feels. That spot is called the costosternal joint, and when the cartilage there gets inflamed, it's called costochondritis. It's common, it's usually harmless, and it can still make you afraid to take a deep breath. If you've been searching for a drug-free way to calm it down, here's what's actually known.

What is costochondritis?

Costochondritis is inflammation of the cartilage connecting your ribs to your breastbone (sternum). It most often shows up on the left side of the upper chest, and the pain can range from a dull ache to a sharp jab that gets worse with a deep breath, a cough, or pressing on the area. Doctors aren't always sure what triggers it — it's sometimes linked to a strain from coughing, exercise, or repetitive movement, but often there's no obvious cause at all.

The tricky part is that chest pain can also be a sign of something more serious, like a heart or lung problem. That's why costochondritis is a "diagnosis of exclusion" — a doctor usually needs to rule other things out first, sometimes with an EKG or chest X-ray, before landing on this explanation.

Can red light therapy help costochondritis?

Short answer: possibly, as a comfort measure, but not because anyone has run a trial on costochondritis by name. Red light and near-infrared light therapy (often called photobiomodulation) has a reasonable body of research behind it for musculoskeletal pain and inflammation more broadly — things like low back pain, tendinopathy, and joint pain. Costochondritis involves the same basic ingredients: local inflammation, irritated cartilage and connective tissue, and muscle guarding around a sore joint. It's reasonable to think the same mechanism could offer some relief, but that's an extrapolation, not a proven result for this specific condition.

What does the research actually say about photobiomodulation and pain?

A 2023 literature review on photobiomodulation therapy for pain and inflammation described how red and near-infrared light is thought to work: it's absorbed by mitochondria in cells, which can boost cellular energy production and help modulate the inflammatory response and pain signaling in the treated tissue (Cronshaw et al., 2023).

A randomized controlled trial in working nurses with chronic low back pain found that LED photobiomodulation sessions led to meaningful improvements in pain and function compared with a sham treatment (Choi et al., 2020). A separate systematic review and meta-analysis of tendinopathy trials found that low-level red and near-infrared light was associated with reduced pain and improved function compared with placebo (Systematic review, tendinopathy, 2021).

None of that is a costochondritis study. But it does point to a consistent pattern: light in the red and near-infrared range has been studied across several musculoskeletal pain conditions with generally encouraging, if modest, results. Whether that pattern holds for costochondritis specifically hasn't been tested yet — so treat it as a low-risk option to try, not a guaranteed fix.

When should you see a doctor instead of reaching for a light panel first?

This is the part we don't want you to skip. Chest pain can feel identical whether it's coming from your rib cartilage or from your heart or lungs. According to the Mayo Clinic, costochondritis pain can mimic that of a heart attack, and a doctor typically needs to rule out cardiac and pulmonary causes before confirming the diagnosis. If your chest pain is new, severe, comes with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, pain radiating down your arm or into your jaw, or just feels different from anything you've had before, treat it as an emergency and get checked out first. Red light therapy is something to consider after a costochondritis diagnosis, as a comfort measure alongside standard care — never as a way to self-diagnose chest pain.

How would you use red light therapy for costochondritis, once a doctor has cleared you?

If your doctor has confirmed costochondritis and cleared you to manage it at home, a typical approach looks like this:

• Distance and time: most home panels are used 6–12 inches from the skin for roughly 10–15 minutes per session, but always follow the specific device's instructions.
• Frequency: many people use it daily or every other day during a flare, then taper off as symptoms ease.
• Combine, don't replace: pair it with the self-care Mayo Clinic recommends — rest, modifying activities that provoke the pain, over-the-counter anti-inflammatories if appropriate for you, and heat or ice.
• Bare skin, no barriers: light therapy needs direct skin exposure to be effective, so it's applied without clothing over the treatment area.

Which AWA device makes sense for chest wall pain?

For a spot like the chest wall, you want even, close coverage without needing to strap anything on. The FX300 is AWA's compact panel, built for exactly this kind of targeted, one-area use, and it's FSA/HSA eligible. If you're also dealing with pain elsewhere — a bad back, stiff knees — the full-body FX500 panel covers more surface area in one session. For something you can hold in one hand and angle precisely over the sore spot, the handheld device is a smaller, travel-friendly option with the same 660nm/850nm wavelengths. Still not sure which fits your situation? The device finder quiz can help you narrow it down in under a minute.

Is red light therapy for costochondritis FSA or HSA eligible?

Yes — AWA's red light therapy panels and handheld devices are FSA/HSA eligible, so you can typically pay for one with pre-tax dollars. If your plan requires a Letter of Medical Necessity, our FSA/HSA guide walks through how that process works. You can also browse the full FSA/HSA-eligible collection to compare options.

Frequently asked questions

Is costochondritis serious?

Usually not — most cases improve on their own within a few weeks, according to the Mayo Clinic. But because chest pain can also signal a heart or lung problem, new or severe chest pain should always be evaluated by a doctor first.

How long does costochondritis usually last?

It varies. Mild cases can resolve in a few days to a couple of weeks, while others linger for several weeks or longer, especially if the aggravating activity (like a particular exercise or repetitive motion) continues.

Can red light therapy make costochondritis worse?

There's no evidence that red or near-infrared light therapy worsens costochondritis. It's considered low-risk for general wellness use, but anyone with a chest wall injury, a pacemaker, or an unclear cause of chest pain should get medical clearance before trying any at-home therapy on that area.

Should I use heat, ice, or red light therapy for costochondritis?

The Mayo Clinic lists both heat and ice as reasonable self-care options. Red light therapy isn't a replacement for either — some people use it alongside heat or ice as part of a broader comfort routine, rather than instead of it.

Can I use a red light therapy panel directly on my sternum?

Once a doctor has confirmed costochondritis and ruled out anything more serious, using a panel over the general chest wall area, avoiding direct eye exposure to the light, is how most people use these devices. Follow your specific device's instructions for distance and session length.

Is a panel or a handheld device better for chest pain?

Both use similar wavelengths. A panel like the FX300 covers a broader area hands-free, which can be more comfortable for a spot like the chest wall, while a handheld device lets you angle the light precisely over one tender point.

Chest wall pain is unsettling, and it's smart to take it seriously before treating it at home. Once you know what you're dealing with, red light therapy is a reasonable, low-risk option to add to your routine — just don't let it be the reason you skip getting checked out first.

Lights on, pain off.

This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Red light therapy devices are intended for general wellness and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always check with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy.